One of the most deliberate ways in which Franklin demonstrates his role as a leader of the independence struggle is in his advocacy for Colonial unity during the French and Indian War. At the time, Franklin was quite zealous in the idea that the Colonists could only find success if they demonstrated unity to one another. His belief that Colonial unity could forestall future challenges became something evident in the struggle for independence.

Even when he sought to try to find middle ground between the Colonies and England, Franklin was of the opinion that consensus amongst the Colonies was essential. This was first seen in his advocacy of Colonial unity during the French and Indian War. For Franklin, the power of Colonial autonomy could only be fully realized if all colonists were committed to the same goals. For Franklin, the insistence on Colonial consensus became something that could be seen in both his role as a leader of the independence struggle and in the affairs of the nation that followed the American Revolution.